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15 years free of disease; still terrified of mammogram!
In 2010 I was dx’d with stage 1 early breast cancer, no nodes. Treated with lumpectomy clear margins, radiation and AI. Since then, God has blessed me with 15 years of no recurrence. 🙏🏻 Despite 15 years, I know there is still a risk and every year I’m terrified! Tomorrow morning is my mammogram. Sometime after year 5, I…
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Intense itching on side of reconstructed breast
I am curious if anyone else has had sudden intense itching around the reconstructed breast area. I am three years out from a LD flap reconstruction and I may have had a little tiny itching here and there, but suddenly tonight is so intense! I have no feeling on the skin in that area so scratching certainly doesn’t help.…
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Options for New Atypical Findings After Treatment
Hi all, long post to give context but the TLDR is — what to do about a large lump with high-risk/atypical findings (but not necessarily malignant) and positive-margins in one breast five years after early stage cancer in the other breast? Five years ago, I had a lumpectomy and radiation for stage 1 ER/PR-negative cancer in…
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Latissimus Dorsi Breast Reconstruction
Has anyone here had a breast reconstruction using the Latissimus Dorsi? If so can you please share your experience and suggestions? I am due to have a delayed reconstruction beginning of May. I'd appreciate all responses. Thank you.
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Got pathology results but waiting to speak with Dr -- insight on options?
Hi all, long post to give context but the TLDR is — what to do about a large lump with high-risk/atypical findings (but not necessarily malignant) and positive-margins in one breast five years after early stage cancer in the other breast? Five years ago, I had a lumpectomy and radiation for stage 1 ER/PR-negative cancer in…
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AC or CMF?
I am trying to decide between AC chemo (8 weeks) or CMF (6 months) Wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom? I am most worried about long term effects on the heart or nervous system. I had my 1st cancer 15 years ago on the other breast and had TC chemo which messed with the nerves in my legs, so I didn't want to do that…
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HIgh ALP and very concerned. Please help
I posted a few weeks ago that my ALP levels were rising and had been since starting letrozole and officially entering menopause. I just took another blood test and the high normal for them was 121. I am now at 129. So now I'm officially high instead of at the high end of normal. I don't want a bone scan but something is…
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Exercises For People Living With Bone Metastases
Studies show that exercise is safe for people with bone metastases. Research also shows that exercise can improve sexual health and offer many other benefits for women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. In this video, Sami Mansfield, a certified cancer trainer and founder of Cancer Wellness for Life, demonstrates a…
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How to use member profile search to find others like you
Using the information you and others share, you can find others based on: 📍Location (ex: lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) 🌍Demographic (ex. is Black or African-American) 🧬Diagnosis (ex: diagnosed in the last year with stage II, ER+, PR+, HER2- breast cancer) 💊Treatment (ex: has been treated with a unilateral…
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Found hard lump directly on rib
Hello, I has been 13 years since I had mastectomy without reconstruction on one side for dcis grade 3. I had failure to get margins a couple times so made decision for the mastectomy. I have zero regrets for my choices and have barely thought about this in the last 13 years. So, yesterday I was doing exercises in front of…
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CT Scan Shows Indeterminate Supraclavicular and Axillary Lymph Nodes
I am 60 years old. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 2016. I had a double mastectomy with expander/implant reconstruction. My cancer was on the left side. Stage 2, but almost stage 3. Sentinel node was clear. Tumor was Hormone + HER2 - . I had four rounds of chemotherapy and have been on Tamoxifen since…
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BCO In Memoriam thread, Part 2
(The original BCO In Memoriam thread started by Milica has gotten too long and is difficult to load or make additions. We need to start Part 2 of this thread, starting 5/3, 2023 to make it easier to load in this new platform. The Original thread (Part 1) will remain and can be accessed for viewing but will not allow for…
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Birads 4 on ultrasound. Mammo+repeat USound done today. Waiting for results.
It's unbelievable how terrible the waiting process is!!! I've tried distracting myself, it only works sometimes. My left breast ultrasound a few years ago showed a cluster of complex cysts at 12 o'clock (birads 3), which has been monitored every 6 months ever since. The most recent was done on Aug 12 which showed it seems…
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tops and nighties!
Hi everyone! As a result of reading up on recovery after surgery, I have realized I'm going to be needing some front opening garments. On account of big boobs which inevitably cause a gap between the buttons, I own NOT EVEN ONE such garment! Any brands or companies y'all have found that are good and not too expensive? A…
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Dont settle.....Go to where they are changing the standard of care, not where you are confined by it
Below is a letter my wife wrote to West Cancer Clinic in Memphis TN. For the past 8 months we have both spiraled in what felt like a hopeless system. We had our first visit to Vandy on the 14th of August and it was an eye opener: Are you considering having children again? We were told by West that this would never be an…
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worried it will spread before mastectomy op
had lumpectomy not clear so need mastectomy scheduled for 29/9/25 lymph nodes clear but worried it will spread before then. Surgeon says it won't but when diagnosed told it was 17mm and after lumpectomy told it was 32mm so doubled in 6 weeks
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Mets to Pleura
in October 2018 when I was 34, I was diagnosed with stage I/II IDC ER/PR+ HER2- low oncotype and ki67 and so went through lumpectomy, radiation, tamoxifen for five years. It was a large tumor near my chest wall, but due to the pathology report + oncotype oncologist said my outcome would be very similar with / without chemo…
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Gamma Knife Surgery for Brain Mets: What to Expect
We asked our awesome member, @illimae, to share her first-hand experience with receiving Gamma Knife surgery for brain metastases in order to help others feel more at ease with this intimidating treatment. We are grateful for Illimae's willingness to share and we hope you find this helpful! Gamma Knife for Brain Metastasis…
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Confused about genetics testing, treatment, risk of second recurrence
Hi all. I'm hoping someone can share some experience or insight with genetics testing and how it may or may not have influenced your treatment decision. I'm currently waiting for genetics results. They're testing for the BRCA 1 and 2 and other genes with possible mutations. I was asked to get genetics testing and told that…
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Her2 testing
Hello - Has anyone had biopsy or surgical pathology testing done after being on HP infusions? Did your IHC staining reduce? If so, did FISH results correlate? As a result, did you have to change treatment? Please let me know. Thank you.
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waiting for results
I found a lump in my breast and went to the clinic yesterday where I had a mammogram then ultrasound. I am high risk due to my mum having R & L breast cancers and same for one auntie and just one breast for other auntie. At the initial consultation the Dr said its probably a cyst but at the ultrasound the radiologist said…
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New here…
I was expecting the call back for further tests because they told me at my screening that I have dense breasts. But what I wasn’t expecting was the finding that says “spiculated mass” found in right breast. When I googled that it says a 90-96% chance that it is malignant. Has anyone had that and had it NOT turn out to be…
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"The Ultimate Guide to Fashion for Women with a Single Mastectomy"
"The Ultimate Guide to Fashion for Women with a Single Mastectomy" Here is a fantastic article encouraging single-breasted women to embrace their new body and leverage it to create their own unique style. Anna Robinett, @closetladyflatfashion on Insta and double-mastectomy breast cancer warrior, offers advice on textures,…
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I’m on hospice - anyone else?
Hi! Many know about me, but I would like to connect with others in my situation. After being on pill treatments since 2019, I was told Enhertu. I gave it two tries, decided I did not want any infusions, chemo or otherwise, and chose to stop treatment. My last treatment was September 12, 2024. Enhertu had me feeling the…
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reconstruction revision surgery
Looking for anyone who has had a breast reconstruction revision surgery. One of mine has shifted. Its uncomfortable and I can see the ripples of the implant bag. It's not the same shape as the other one. Not sure what to do….
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Recently diagnosed
I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast. My surgeon has recommended a double mastectomy because of my family history of breast cancer & I have the CHEK2 gene. I have been very emotional about losing my breasts . I have reached out to anyone I know who has had breast cancer , surgery, & treatment to…
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Cancer subtype switch
Hello all - I was diagnosed with stage II triple positive breast cancer in 2020. Had lumpectomy, chemo TCHP and 11 additional rounds of HP and 33 rounds of radiation. In 2022, had a prophylactic hysterectomy. In 2024, cancer came back as hormone negative and her2 positive. This time it had spread to one spot in the liver.…
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tamoxifen and hair loss
Hello, I am over 65 & was diagnosed with breast cancer in Aug 2024, followed by a mastectomy, removal of 9 lymph nodes, radiation & hormone therapy. Even though I am post-menopause I was given Tamoxifen for hormone therapy because of my severe osteoporosis. 4 months into using Tamoxifen I find my hair is thinning rapidly,…
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Brachial Plexopathy
Hello Has anyone sufffered with brachial plexopathy? Im really struggling with the effects and sometimes feel like im going mad! Husband sick of me talking about the range of actually quite bizarre sensations i get. Would love to compare symptoms with someone if only to know im not going insane Thanks
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Help with Lupron, or Alternatives to Hormone Suppression Therapy?
Hello! Grateful to have found this forum! Questions are at the bottom if you want to skip the backstory. I promise I searched the site before asking questions 😉… so if there is a thread that might help me, please share. I'm 54 y/o, diagnosed in March with Invasive Ductile Carcinoma, Progesterone/Estrogen positive, HER2-.…